Arms up

[Nagswoman]

I have the usual PMR thing about not being able to stretch both arms straight up over my head. We have been going to a free of charge joint pain programme at Nuffield. Today, I was able to lift a 5kg, 30cm dia, ball straight up vertically, if that makes sense. Arms would not co-operate without that ball. Why? Challenge for you clever people.

[Seacat30]

I don't know but I am good at raising my arms a long way if they go up from the front. It will hurt me if they go up from the sides.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No idea - must ask my physio. Not sure something as heavy as 5kg is a good idea though!!!!

[Nagswoman in reply to PMRpro]

I had horses for more than 50 years. I am still quite good at lifting heavy stuff but out of interest I tried the 5kg ball lift. Most of us in our class are oldies. All have joint issues. One of the ladies has neck, shoulder, hip and knee pain and can't lift her arms above shoulder level. I said nowt.

[Bluey-1]

5kg! You’re doing well to lift that. Is it easier at a lower weight?

[Nagswoman in reply to Bluey-1]

No. Lighter balls go up less easily. The big green squishy balls that we use to do squats against the wall with go up easily, but the diameter is so much bigger. It is a puzzle. Gym tutor has seem me not doing arms at 12 oclock. I showed him my new trick and he is puzzled too. My other half, an engineer, compares it with car springs and shock absorbers. Almost as though my muscles need something to push against to lift to 12 o'clock. Maybe nerves are involved?

[Francesbarbara in reply to Nagswoman]

I'm out of touch, but working as a physio over 40 years ago, I recall that muscles always worked harder against a resistance. Even weak muscles would 'come to life' and patients would be surprised by what they could achieve. I think it was partly to do with more muscle cells being stimulated, brought into play and working together simultaneously. We used our own limbs to act as a resistance and give what we described as a 'neuro-muscular facilitation technique' which had impressive results. I have no idea if that is still used. Other forms of resistance would include things like different weights and balls which of course would show how strength was improving over time.

[Grannymiaow in reply to Francesbarbara]

I too was a physio, and well remember what we termed PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) and how effective it was. Tricky to get the technique right, but certainly got results, especially gaining range of movement in stiff joints.

Do practicing physios use it today, I wonder?

[PollyBrown in reply to Grannymiaow]

I too was a physio and used PNF a lot. Pretty sure it’s not used now as deemed too time consuming and patients can’t do it themselves at home. It was brilliant!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PollyBrown]

Typical isn't it - takes too much time to improve a patient's status! I am very grateful that while I get exercises to do at home, the actual physio session is as long as I need and involves a lot of hands on ...

[Bluey-1]

These illness are quite the mystery and everyone seems to respond differently to the condition and the treatment. All very odd

[Viveka]

Like this, TCK. I've been doing a bit of isometric arm exercises to keep the pressure of joints. Think it will work better if I use a tai chi approach. (Used to do karate and tai chi, became a yoga girl).

[Viveka]

What the others said, also perhaps its somthing to do with the contact between hand and weight creating a link and the chain of muscle movement. Interesting.